Pregled predpisovanja medicinskih pripomočkov pri bolnikih z multiplo sklerozo
Review of prescribing assistive devices to people with multiple sclerosis

slovenian

2023

volume 22, issue 1

assistive devices   independence

Univerzitetni rehabilitacijski inštitut RS – Soča
(Obvezni izvod spletne publikacije)

Background: Multiple sclerosis is a disease of the central nervous system causing a variety of variable and unpredictable symptoms that significantly affect the patient’s daily functioning. The occupational therapist, as part of an interdisciplinary team, advises patients and prescribes various assistive devices that can facilitate the performance of daily activities. The purpose and aim of our research was to find out which assistive devices were prescribed to patient with multiple sclerosis, hospitalised in the Department for Rehabilitation of Patients after Traumatic Brain Injury, Multiple Sclerosis and other Neurological Diseases during a period of one year. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of the medical records of 127 patients with the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, included in inpatient rehabilitation at the University Rehabilitation Institute in Ljubljana from January 2021 to December 2021. Results: In 2021, we prescribed 111 medical devices to 66 (52 %) patients with multiple sclerosis. Most patients received one device (n = 38, 30 %), the most frequently prescribed device was an electric scooter. We observed no statistically significant association between the number of prescribed devices and gender. We also found no correlation between the number of prescribed devices and the age of the patients, the type of the disease or disease stage according to the Expanded Disability Status Scale. Conclusions: Several different assistive devices are available to patients with multiple sclerosis, which make it easier for them to carry out their daily activities. The majority of our patients received one device. The analysis showed no association with disease stage or other patient characteristics.

08.04.2024